'Seussical' opens this weekend in Belmont

Thursday

Jul 27, 2017 at 12:01 AMJul 27, 2017 at 11:18 AM

By Diana MansfieldSpecial to The Gazette

What happens when Encore Theatre Company’s cast and a favorite children’s storybook character meet for the summer? A colorful, toe-tapping musical of classic Dr. Seuss tales — such as "Horton Hears a Who," "The Cat in the Hat," "Miss Gertrude McFuzz," and "The Butter Battle Book."

The cast — ages 13 to 21 — take on "Seussical the Musical," a two-act show about the adventures and antics of beloved Dr. Seuss characters. The production opens this weekend in the Haid Theatre on the Belmont Abbey College campus. The show is directed by Leslie Hodnett, ETC’s founder and artistic director of the company.

“The audience can expect that, when they come to see 'Seussical,' they are going to laugh, cry, and reminisce on the characters that they used to read in their children's books,” says Grayson Phillips, 19, who plays the Cat in the Hat, one of the most lovable and classic Dr. Seuss imaginings.

"Seussical" tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing the world of the Whos, including the Mayor, his wife, and their son JoJo, a tried and true “thinker”.

“Horton the Elephant is special in his own unique way,” Ben King, 16, explains who steps in to the role. “He is the loner, the outcast who no one believes. He is a loveable character who everyone uses for the betterment of their own lives; he just wants the other characters to believe and appreciate him.”

Horton is doubly-challenged -- not only must he protect the speck of dust the Whos call home from an array of danger, but he must guard an abandoned egg left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Though ridiculed by peers and facing unexpected trials, Horton never loses the shy Gertrude McFuzz’s faith and friendship.

She’s a character Katie Taylor,19, appreciates portraying. An Encore Theatre Company member since 2014, Taylor notes, “Gertrude McFuzz is a tried and true weirdo, that anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit in could relate to. She's awkward, strange, and terribly insecure, but at the end of the day, she stands up for those she loves.”

It is lessons such as this that makes Seussical special to its 35-member cast. “There is never a dull moment. My favorite part of the show is near the end,” Taylor says. “Since I don't want to give away the ending, you'll just have to come see it to find out!”

Phillips agrees, adding, “The characters really do come alive on the stage, and Leslie and the rest of the team really brought out the characters in each performer.”

Heading to Boston Conservatory at Berklee to begin a major in musical theatre, Phillips is grateful for the opportunity to play one of his favorite roles. “This character is special to me because The Cat in the Hat is a very funny, energetic, and friendly person that I really can relate to. I feel like if I was any character in any show, I would be The Cat.”

Intertwined with rhyming lyrics and lines, the show is sure to bring a smile to audiences of all ages. “When watching Seussical, an audience member can expect a magical night full of wacky characters and crazy plots that are fun for the whole family,” King says.

The fun is not limited to the stage. Children attending Seussical are encouraged to dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character for a chance to enter a special drawing. The winner — announced during each show’s intermission — receives a Dr. Seuss book, signed by the ETC Seussical cast of characters.